Writing about the business of design
Welcome to a library of articles about the business of design.
You'll find articles about current research, our experience founding and managing a design studio and about insights uncovered during mentoring sessions with Australian designers.
The articles are released weekly via a news-packed EDM. Subscribe via the homepage
What to say when clients say ‘we need to think about it’
Most clients aren’t actually thinking about your proposal when they say we need to think about it. They’re stuck, confused, or politely trying to get away.
The emotion and psychology of pricing
Pricing is a powerful communication tool. Learn how the psychology of pricing shapes client perception, trust and decision-making in engaging a design agency.
Creative out of office replies
We work all year to prove our creativity, nurture client relationships and project personality so don’t fall at the last hurdle … put some thought into your holiday out-of-office auto reply.
Measure what matters
Many Australian studios are running flat-out yet wondering why the numbers don’t stack up. The problem isn’t effort — it’s focus. You might be measuring the wrong things.
(New) skills needed to survive
2025 has been a year of disruption for designers and all indicators say 2026 will be as turbulent. We think designers need these (new) to survive.
Before you look for work, look at how you work
Most creative agencies chase new work to grow. The truth is, growth starts inside — by auditing profitability, utilisation, and client mix before pursuing new business.
Are you accidentally ripping-off freelancers?
The uncomfortable truth: while you’re perfecting your portfolio, other designers are building relationships through content. Every week you stay quiet is another week potential clients discover someone else.
If your peers talk business and you talk design, you’ll lose
While you focus on craft and visual quality, competitors are talking strategy, outcomes, and business value. They’re speaking the language clients want to hear.
Why your competitors are stealing your clients
The uncomfortable truth: while you’re perfecting your portfolio, other designers are building relationships through content. Every week you stay quiet is another week potential clients discover someone else.
Designing your way through a crisis
We had the good fortune to have worked through the 1987 market crash, the dot.com boom and crash and the global financial crisis. I say good fortune because it taught us how to pivot.
When we face changes like we are now seeing we can’t do business as usual.
Has design got over complicated
Ability to simplify the complex is an attribute many designers spruik but in reality have we done the opposite and complicated our industry to the point of confusing clients?
Stop networking like everyone else
Break the design by the hour cycle by finding clients who value your expertise through targeted networking
